Japanese Speech Contest 2025

Jugas President Ms. Shen Yue opening the speech contest

The Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore (JUGAS) proudly chaired this year’s Japanese Speech Contest, held on July 13th. 

For decades, this contest has united Japanese language learners across Singapore, challenging them not only in linguistic proficiency but also in the courage to express heartfelt thoughts in a non-native tongue.

This year’s event continued the tradition with vigour, drawing 52 applicants: 14 from Secondary Schools, 23 from Junior Colleges, and 15 from the Open Category. Only 5 finalists from each group advanced to the final round, where they delivered speeches entirely in Japanese on deeply personal topics. The themes ranged from the lightness of being carefree to the profound silence of daunting choices, transforming speeches into poignant reflections on the human experience.

The competition featured a special appearance by Guest of Honour, Hock Yong Chew-senpai, Chairman of Workforce Singapore, who delivered a spontaneous bilingual speech. 

Congratulations to all the finalists for their dedication and the weeks of practice that led them to this achievement. Their journey underscored that learning a language transcends mere fluency; it’s about finding one’s voice, building connections, and exploring new worlds.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the 15 volunteer tutors, corporate sponsors, co-organisers, the meticulous organising team, and Ambassador Ishikawa for their unwavering support, making this event a resounding success.